In November 1965, British rock promoter Roy Tempest brought soul legend Wilson Pickett over for his debut British tour.
Judging by the photo below, it appears that Jamaican group The Links backed him on most, if not all, the gigs below.
I’ve not been able to find any information on this obscure band other than the fact that Dominica-born drummer Conrad Isidore was a member at one point. However, he’s not in this photo. Garage Hangover would welcome any further information on this group and tour in the comments below.
Tour dates:
9 November 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London (Melody Maker) Says debut British appearance
9 November 1965 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)
11 November 1965 – Oldham Astoria, Oldham, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
12 November 1965 – In-Place, Baker Street, central London (Melody Maker)
12 November 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (all-nighter) (Melody Maker)
13 November 1965 – Jigsaw, Manchester with The Measles, St Louis Union, The Mockingbirds and Tom’s Rig (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
13 November 1965 – Nottingham (Melody Maker)
14 November 1965 – Birmingham (Melody Maker)
15 November 1965 – Brighton, East Sussex (Melody Maker)
16 November 1965 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks with Don Jordan (Bucks Free Press)
17 November 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, southeast London (Melody Maker)
18 November 1965 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
19 November 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Gass (Melody Maker) Originally billed as Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
20 November 1965 – Chelmsford, Essex (Melody Maker)
20 November 1965 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London with Heart & Souls (Melody Maker)
21 November 1965 – Jigsaw, Manchester with Paul, John & The Soul Savages and The Links (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
21 November 1965 – The Cavern, Liverpool with Tony Colton Big Boss Band, Earl Preston’s Realms, The Hideaways, The Richmond Group, The Masterminds, Tiffany’s Thoughts, The Verbs and The Monos (Liverpool Echo)
22 November 1965 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)
22 November 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Says last London appearance
24 November 1965 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Melody Maker) Failed to appear as he flew back to US, according to Melody Maker, 4 December issue
For Wilson Pickett’s second British tour, west London group The Statesides backed him on all of the dates.
Thanks to band leader Jeff Sturgeon and Dave Brogden, I’ve been able to provide more information on this group and the tour itinerary. Thanks to Jeff and Dave for the tour photos.
Originally formed as The Statesmen and having recorded as Jean & The Statesmen with singer Jean Hayles, The Statesides comprised Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar/vocals); Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar/vocals); Mike Bloomfield (bass/vocals), Bill Stemp (tenor sax/keyboards); Dave Brogden (tenor sax); and Ian Walker (drums) by the time they supported Wilson Pickett.
Tour dates:
11 March 1966 – Flamingo 7pm start for All-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker/Dave Brogden’s diary)
11 March 1966 – Midnight start – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Dave Brodgen’s diary)
11 March 1966 – Flamingo, 3am start for All-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker/Dave Brogden’s diary)
12 March 1966 – 7pm start, Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Dave Brogden’s diary)
12 March 1966 – Midnight start, Jigsaw, Manchester with Karol Keyes and The Big Sound (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Dave Brodgen’s diary)
13 March 1966 – 7pm start, Ritz Ballroom, Birmingham (Dave Brogden’s diary)
13 March 1966 – Midnight start, Plaza Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail/Dave Brodgen’s diary)
14 March 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Dave Brogden’s diary)
16 March 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Stevenage, Herts (Dave Brogden’s diary)
17 March 1966 – Rag Ball, Locarno Ballroom, Coventry with Manfred Mann (Coventry Evening Telegraph/Dave Brogden’s diary)
17 March 1966 – The Penthouse, Birmingham with The Cheethas (Birmingham Evening Mail/Dave Brogden’s diary)
18 March 1966 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Dave Brogden’s diary)
18 March 1966 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Dave Brogden’s diary)
19 March 1966 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire with The Paladins and The Night Shifters (Runcorn Guardian/Dave Brodgen’s diary)
19 March 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with Irma Thomas (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Dave Brogden’s diary)
20 March 1966 – Club West Indies, Harlesden, northwest London (Melody Maker/Dave Brogden’s diary)
21 March 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with The Statesides (Nottingham Evening Post/Dave Brogden’s diary)
23 March 1966 – TWW Bristol Television (Dave Brogden’s diary)
24 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Peter B’s (Melody Maker/Dave Brogden’s diary)
24 March 1966 – Blaises, Kensington, west London (Dave Brogden’s diary)
25 March 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Sudbury, northwest London (Dave Brogden’s diary)
25 March 1966 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Dave Brogden’s diary)
26 March 1966 – Rawmarsh Club, Rotherham (Dave Brogden’s diary)
26 March 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Jimmy Brown’s Big Sound (Dave Brogden’s diary/Sheffield Star)
27 March 1966 – Oasis, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Dave Brogden’s diary)
If you can add any further information below in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.